BEFORE GOING OVERSEAS
Banda Hilir, Melaka 1952
1 Jan 1952 - New Year's Day
27 Jan 1952 - CNY Day 1
28 Jan 1952 - CNY Day 2
https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=1952&country=69
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Bapak told me that many relatives assisted him financially. He named a few - Haji Jelani bin Kupah, Nya Klang (Tok Zainal's wife), Ismail Alyamani (Penang jeweller at Masjid Kapitan Kling; Siti Hajar was his 2nd wife) gave him money ($100) for going to Kirkby College. Bapak was ever grateful to them for assisting him. He never stopped mentioning these patrons over and over throughout his lifetime, whenever he had a chance to speak of their good deeds. They meant so much to him.
THE ARMY BLANKET BECAME HIS COAT
THE ARMY BLANKET BECAME HIS COAT
As they were poor, his mother (Nenek Inchek) made him a coat from a woollen army blanket. It was leftover from after World War 2 in 1945. The blanket material was 7 years old, thick, heavy and rough. Nenek Inchek described to me how she sewed the blanket into a coat and then sewed big buttons on the front. Bapak said the material was coarse like "kain guni", but he liked it because his mother made it for him.
 |
| Bapak in front of Rumah Banda Hilir, Melaka Feb 1952 |
Malayan Teachers' Training College, Kirkby, England (near Liverpool)
First Batch 1952-1953 (2 years)
-----------
VOYAGE 1952
His trip to England was quite interesting.
He sailed in February 1952, for 3 weeks, on the steamship Pacific & Oriental PNO Chusan, from Singapore to Penang and beyond via the Suez Canal to England. The ship stopped in India, Aden in Yemen and Port Said in Suez.
He arrived at MacGillivray Harbour in late February 1952 and took a train to Liverpool.
He started the first term late. The term started in January 1952 but Bapak started in March 1952.
Who sailed with him in the first batch, 1952-1953? Nuruddin Jamin, Raji Haji Ali, Talochan Singh etc.
How many students were in the first batch? There were 150 Malayan students in the first batch.
 |
| Bapak (right, with songkok) with a friend (middle) on board PNO Chusan 1952 |
 |
| Bapak (right, with beret) on board PNO Chusan 1952 |
 |
| Bapak on board PNO Chusan 1952 |
 |
| Bapak and Talochan Singh(?) at India gate 1952 There was also another photo with a snake charmer. |
 |
| Bapak on the seashore in Aden/Eden, Yemen 1952 |
 |
| Bapak & the first batch of Kirkbytes at Port Said, Suez Canal 1952 |
 |
| Bapak at Port Said, Suez Canal 1952 The ship anchored far away from the shore. |
 |
| Bapak visited an orphanage in Aden/Eden or Suez 1952. Bapak said he loved the kids there. Port Said, Suez Canal |
-----------
'Kirkby plan not waste of money'The Kirkby College training scheme for 300 Malayan teachers was "not a waste of money" the Federation's Director of Education, Mr. L. D. Whitfield, said on his return to Singapore yesterday by Qantas-BOAC from London, at Kallang Airport.Mr Whitfield flew to Britain to meet the first batch of 150 Malayan teachers when they arrived in Liverpool on the Chusan.Mr Whitfield said the teachers were very happy at Kirkby. Their first meal after their arrival was rice and curry prepared by two Chinese cooks loaned by the Blue Funnel Line.
-----------
ARRIVAL IN KIRKBY, ENGLAND 1952
When did Bapak arrive in Kirkby?
Probably in late February 1952
Settling in 1-3 March 1952
(ie before 4 March 1952)
 | |
|
 |
| Two ladies on a bench at Kirkby braving the cold snowy condition. |
--------------------------
MTTC
KIRKBY CAMPUS
1952-1953
--------------------------
FIRST BATCH 1952-1953
List of students in the first batch at Kirkby 1952-1953
- Abdul Rashid bin Mohd Yusope with songkok (Bapak kahwin Mak)
- Nuruddin bin Jamin with songkok (kahwin Yasmin Hanoum bt Dr Kamil Ariff)
- Man at staircase in dark coat standing next to Bapak 1952
- Man wearing cap with glasses on ship 1952
- Raji Haji Ali - thin man with glasses on ship; gave talk during Maulidurasul 1952
- Man with dark coat with hat at Suez Canal 1952 - Yusof Mohamed?
- Man in vest with camera string across chest at Suez Canal 1952
- Man in checked coat with turtle neck at Suez Canal 1952
- Man with curly hair with 3-piece and necktie
- Talochan Singh Sachder
- David Raman
- Lee See Loy
- Ong Lim Neo
- Dorothea E. Blesters
- Ding Siao Giong
- Lady on bench 1952 - Saliah Busu (adik Koko Majid)?
- Lady with scarf on ship 1952 - Zohara Ishak?
-----------
ACTIVITIES IN 1952
-----------
-----------
4 March 1952 - Reception at MTTC, Kirkby with Lord Mayor & Lady Mayoress of Liverpool
22 April 1952 - Isra and Mikraj
28 April 1952 - Climbed the 287 steps to the top of the Scott Monument, Edinburgh
----------
Bicycling before fasting month (25 May 1952)
ie early May 1952 and the weather was still cold.
 |
| Bapak and his bicycle |
 |
| Bapak on his bicycle ... ready to travel |
----------
25 May-23 June 1952 Ramadan fasting
24 June 1952 - Hari Raya Aidilfitri Day 1
25 June 1952 - Hari Raya Aidilfitri Day 2
----------
2-4-15 August 1952 - Woking, Surrey, Great Britain invitation card
31 August 1952 -Hari Raya Aidiladha. Id al-Adha 1374 Hijrah. 'Id Prayers at The Shah Jehan Mosque, Woking Borough, Surrey, England
-----------------
Social Evening
------------------
22 October 1952 - Social Evening. Liverpool & District Teachers' Association welcome students of MTTC, Kirkby
 |
| Bapak's doodles |
28 November 1952 - Bapak's 21st birthday
30 November 1952 - The Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Maulidur Rasul)
 |
| Raji Haji Ali giving his talk There is another photo where Bapak read the Quran in this hall. |
---------------------------
ACTIVITIES IN 1953
---------------------------
---------------------------
1 Jan 1953 New Year's Day
14 Feb 1953 CNY Day 1
15 Feb 1953 CNY Day 2
12 April 1953 - Isra and Mikraj
15 May - 13 June 1953 - Ramadan fasting
https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=1953&country=69
26 May 1953 - MTTC Celebration in Honour of The Coronation of Her Majesty QEII. The Coronation celebration was held during Ramadan fasting.
---------
14 June 1953 - Hari Raya Aidilfitri Day 1
15 June 1953 - Hari Raya Aidilfitri Day 2
---------
29 June 1953 - Malayan Students' Union and The Malay Society of Great Britain Coronation Ball, The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, W.I. The hotel is in London at 53 Park Lane. http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/dorchester-hotel-park-lane-london.html
CORONATION BALL 1953
29 June 1953 - Malayan Students' Union and The Malay Society of Great Britain Coronation Ball, The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, W.I.
Coronation Ball Committee
Chairman: Che Jamal bin Abdul Latiff
Committee:
Miss Rennie Chew
Miss L. T. Lim
Wan Daud bin Wan Ibrahim
Che Abdul Aziz bin Zain
Malayan Students' Union
President: Mr HG Gan
Vice-President: Che Halim bin A. Rasip
Hon. Secretary: Mr HS Hong
Hon. Treasurer: Che Abdul Manaf Ghows
Hon. Sports Secretary: Mr Carl Schubert
Hon. Social Secretary: Mr George Dourado
Hon. Asst. Secretary: Mr HW Tan
Other Committee Members:
Miss Rennie Chew
Miss LT Lim
Miss CS Cheah
Miss Zubaidah Ghows
Malay Society of Great Britain
President: Che Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman
Vice-President: Wan Daud bin Wan Ibrahim
Hon. Secretary: Wan Ahmad bin Wan Omar
Hon. Treasurer: Che M. Zain
Hon. Asst. Secretary: Che Aminuddin bin Baki
Hon. Sports Secretary: Che Salim bin Osman
Hon. Social Secretary: Che Kadir bin Hj Yusoff
Other Committee Members:
Che Lily Majeed (eldest sister of Dr Ruby Majeed)
Raja Mohar bin Raja Badiozaman
Abdul Halim bin Rasip
Mr. George Dourado
Hon. Secretary: Wan Ahmad bin Wan Omar
-----------
Bapak was at Kirkby College for 2 years (March 1952- August 1953). His father (Walid) communicated with him the whole time he was overseas. They wrote to each other in English and cracked a lot of jokes too. Walid had sent him postcards for exhibits.
----------
1953 - Football team (14 men) with teachers
24 July 1952-3 - Malayan Teachers' College, Kirby, Colours for Soccer
--------
WALID'S DEMISE
Bapak's father (Walid) probably died at this time.
Bapak's father died one month before he returned to Malaya; his father (Walid) probably died circa 20-30 July 1953.
Walid never saw his son (Bapak) graduate. He died one month before Bapak completed his studies and came home.
The last Walid and Bapak saw each other was before Bapak sailed for Kirkby in Feb 1952 (2 years before his father died).
--------
Bapak was at Kirkby College for 2 years (March 1952- August 1953). His father (Walid) communicated with him the whole time he was overseas. They wrote to each other in English and cracked a lot of jokes too. Walid had sent him postcards for exhibits.
----------
1953 - Football team (14 men) with teachers
WALID'S DEMISE
Bapak's father (Walid) probably died at this time.
Bapak's father died one month before he returned to Malaya; his father (Walid) probably died circa 20-30 July 1953.
Walid never saw his son (Bapak) graduate. He died one month before Bapak completed his studies and came home.
The last Walid and Bapak saw each other was before Bapak sailed for Kirkby in Feb 1952 (2 years before his father died).
--------
1 August 1953 - Woking, Surrey, Great Britain invitation card
21 August 1953 - Hari Raya Aidiladha. Id al-Adha 1372 Hijrah. 'Id Prayers at The Shah Jehan Mosque, Woking, Surrey
Bapak successfully completed his 2-year teaching course at Kirkby
Shah Jahan Mosque, Woking
----------
RETURN TO GLOOM
After completion of his studies, Bapak returned to Malaya some time after 21 August 1953.
When exactly did Bapak return to Malaya?
Bapak sailed(?) back to Malaya in August 1953 and returned to Malacca.
He reported for duty on 1 September 1953 and taught at a school in Jasin.
---------
AFTER KIRKBY
Bapak told me, he said he was a 'nobody' before he went to Kirkby College. Only after he returned from overseas did his relatives respected him.
---------
FAMILY ACCOUNTS OF WALID'S DEMISE
The actual date of Walid's demise is unknown. Nobody seems to remember. There is no written record of Walid's demise. His tombstone lies under a fallen periphery wall of the graveyard at Masjid Semabok. It is difficult to remove the fallen wall and recover Walid's tombstone. Possible date of demise:
---------
FAMILY ACCOUNTS OF WALID'S DEMISE
The actual date of Walid's demise is unknown. Nobody seems to remember. There is no written record of Walid's demise. His tombstone lies under a fallen periphery wall of the graveyard at Masjid Semabok. It is difficult to remove the fallen wall and recover Walid's tombstone. Possible date of demise:
- late July 1953
- circa 20-30 July 1953
- early August 1953
- circa 1-7 August 1953
- July/August 1953
Bapak's father (Walid) died in late July 1953/20-30 July 1953/early August 1953/1-7 August 1953 - a month before Bapak completed his studies at Kirkby College and returned to Malaya. Bapak was devastated when his father died. His best friend was gone forever. Bapa always told me, when his father died he had to be responsible for his mother and siblings. There was nobody else who could help his family. His many siblings were still small.
His mother (my Nenek Inchek) also told me the same story when I was a teenager - her husband Walid died while my father was still studying. Walid died a month before my father returned to Malaya. Nenek Inchek said there was no choice for them but to wait for my father's return and for him to help them out financially.
His siblings shared their bitterness about their father's sudden demise, being orphaned, and being left without any financial assistance. Mak Bedah related Walid's demise. She said she was just 10 years old when Walid died. She sat near Walid's feet and held his toes when he died. I think she was older; she was actually 14+.
Walid's demise was a great loss to his family. He died of a heart attack. He was 57 years and 5 months old when he died (11 Feb 1896-July 1953).
I don't know which aunts & uncles were already married when Walid died.
Below are the ages of Walid's children when he died. Their ages ranged from 8 years to 32 years:
- Mak Ainon (32) -- she was probably married since her eldest daughter Kak Hawa is older than Abang Sharif (born 1956)
- Child died as infant
- Che Nah (29) -- she was not married yet. She married late in her 50s
- Mak Lah (27+) -- she was most probably married. Her eldest son is older than Abang Sharif.
- Child died as infant
- Mak Sarah (25) -- she was not married yet. Her eldest child is Abang Sharif's age (born 1956)
- Pak Bakar (23) -- he was not married yet. His 2 children are younger than me.
- Bapak (21+) -- he was not married yet. He married in 1955. Abang Sharif was born in 1956.
- Mak Nya (19+) -- she was not married yet. Her eldest son Wahid (Rahim) is older than Abang Sharif.
- Bik Wa (18) -- Form 5. She was still a schoolgirl.
- Pak Cik Pau (16+) -- Form 4. He was still a schoolboy.
- Mak Bedah (14+) -- Form 2. She was still a schoolgirl.
- Pak Din (13) -- Form 1. He was still a schoolboy. I remember he stayed with us and was a young man.
- Mak Sekmah ((11+) -- Std 6. She was still a primary schoolgirl.
- Pak Salleh (8) -- Std 2. He just started primary school. I remember he stayed with us and was a teenager.
So Bapak must have looked after 9 of his siblings and his mother. That was what he meant by his burden. Imagine a 21-year old working to support 10 others. It was hard on him.
FIRST JOB
1 Sept 1953 - Bapak reported for duty at Pejabat Pelajaran and started teaching at the Government English School (GES), Jasin, Malacca. He was 21+ years old, going on 22.
10 Sept 1953 - The Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Maulidurasul)
---------
KIRKBY REUNIONS
Bapak and Mak attended a few.
Tan Sri Dr Yahaya Ibrahim is in charge.
http://kirkbycollegealumni.blogspot.my/2008/12/
---------
A Jenaton man, Zainal Yusof is writing his mother's book.
Zainal Yusof is Prof Norimah's husband (UPM).
His parents are Yusof Mohamed and Zohara Ishak, both were in the first batch at Kirkby with Bapak.
http://ppunlimited.blogspot.my/2012/08/the-quest.html
I have met both Zainal Yusof and Prof Norimah at the 6th Jenaton Reunion at Vistana Hotel in Penang.
-----------
This is Uncle Ramli Shaari's blog. He passed away. He knew Cikgu Hj Salleh bin Ahmad (son of Dr Pandak Ahmad bin Alang Sidin, an early Malay doctor from Kuala Kangsar). He and wife Zainab were in the second batch at Kirkby with Mak and Tuanku Bainun. They are related to Badariah Baba Ahmad of Jelutong. Mr Baba Ahmad taught at Maktab Perguruan Persekutuan P. Pinang with Bapak. He taught English Literature. His daughter Badariah is in my Facebook.
http://kirkbyites5254.blogspot.my/
No comments:
Post a Comment